news WILLMAR -- A Willmar man is being held on half-million dollars bail after being charged Friday with three felony drug-related charges.
Miguel Gonzales Montez, 40, is accused of possessing about 33 grams of methamphetamine and 3.2 grams of cocaine, as well as cash and paraphernalia, including a digital...
Willmar, 56201

Willmar Minnesota 2208 Trott Ave. SW / P.O. Box 839 56201

2012-11-30 12:15:51

WILLMAR -- A Willmar man is being held on half-million dollars bail after being charged Friday with three felony drug-related charges.

Miguel Gonzales Montez, 40, is accused of possessing about 33 grams of methamphetamine and 3.2 grams of cocaine, as well as cash and paraphernalia, including a digital scale, in a vehicle he was driving Wednesday in Willmar.

Montez is charged with one count of first-degree sale of 10 grams or more of cocaine or meth; one charge of first-degree possession of 25 or more grams of cocaine or meth; and one charge of second-degree possession of cocaine or meth.

Each of the charges has a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison or a $1 million fine.

According to the complaint, the charges stem from a search warrant that was executed around 7 a.m. Wednesday at a Raymond residence by members of the CEE-VI Drug Task Force and other members of the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office. The search was made based on information that drugs were allegedly being sold from the home.

During the search a small amount of cocaine, meth and drug paraphernalia were found at the residence, where authorities believed Montez was also residing. Paperwork at the house also allegedly linked the drugs to Montez.

Around noon Wednesday, a Willmar police officer saw Montez driving in Willmar and stopped him based on information gained in the search that morning in Raymond.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, a digital scale with white powdery residue on it, which field tested positive for methamphetamine, was discovered, as well as a meth pipe and a small bag of meth.

A search warrant was issued for the vehicle, and authorities found a long list of alleged drug-related items in a backpack and a duffle bag in the trunk. The items included numerous bags with white powder or crystals, a piece of cardboard with small plastic bags stapled to it that was located in a cooler in the trunk, beer bottles with plastic bags inside containing white crystal and a green leafy substance and plastic bags of marijuana and meth found in Sharpie permanent markers. There were additional digital scales with crystal residue. One scale was located in a leather pouch in the vehicle and another in the trunk.

A wallet contained $1,037 in cash and EBT cards for several individuals.

According to the complaint, the methamphetamine that field tested positive, plus packaging, weighed 33 grams. The total amount of cocaine found in the vehicle is 3.2 grams.

According to the complaint, Montez initially denied any knowledge of the use or sale of meth. He later allegedly admitted to using meth, claiming he used one gram a day.

Montez has two prior convictions for fifth-degree controlled substance offenses.

In an appearance Friday, District Judge David Mennis set bail at $500,000. Montez's next court appearance is Nov. 29.